# List of United States Army lieutenant generals since 2020

The rank of lieutenant general (or three-star general) is the second-highest rank normally achievable in the United States Army, and the first to have a specific number of authorized positions for it set by statute. It ranks above major general (two-star general) and below general (four-star general).
There have been 91 lieutenant generals in the U.S. Army since 1 January 2020, seven of whom were promoted to four-star general. All 91 achieved that rank while on active duty in the U.S. Army. Lieutenant generals entered the Army via several paths: 50 were commissioned via Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) at a civilian university, 26 via the U.S. Military Academy (USMA), eight via ROTC at a senior military college, five via Officer Candidate School (OCS), one via ROTC at a military junior college, and one via direct commission (direct).

## List of generals

Entries in the following list of lieutenant generals are indexed by the numerical order in which each officer was promoted to that rank while on active duty, or by an asterisk (*) if the officer did not serve in that rank while on active duty in the U.S. Army or was promoted to four-star rank while on active duty in the U.S. Army. Each entry lists the general's name, date of rank, active-duty positions held while serving at three-star rank, number of years of active-duty service at three-star rank (Yrs), year commissioned and source of commission, number of years in commission when promoted to three-star rank (YC), and other biographical notes.
List of U.S. Army lieutenant generals since 2020 :
| # | Name | Date of rank | Position | Yrs | Commission | YC | Notes |
| 1 | Douglas M. Gabram | 22 Jan 2020 | Commanding General, U.S. Army Installation Management Command (CG IMCOM), 2020–2022. | 2 | 1984 (ROTC) | 36 | |
| * | Randy A. George | 4 Feb 2020 | Commanding General, I Corps, 2020–2021. Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (SMA SecDef), 2021–2022. | 2 | 1988 (USMA) | 32 | (1964– ) Promoted to general, 5 Aug 2022. |
| 2 | Robert L. Marion | 2 May 2020 | Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology/Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Corps (PMD(ASA(ALT))/DIRAAC), 2020–2024. | 4 | 1988 (ROTC) | 32 | |
| 3 | David G. Bassett | 4 Jun 2020 | Director, Defense Contract Management Agency (DIRDCMA), 2020–2023. | 3 | 1988 (ROTC) | 32 | |
| 4 | Flem B. Walker Jr. | 2 Jul 2020 | Deputy Commanding General/Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Materiel Command (DCG/COFS AMC), 2020–2021. Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (DCG AMC), 2021–2022. | 2 | 1987 (ROTC) | 33 | |
| 5 | Thomas H. Todd III | 13 Jul 2020 | Deputy Commanding General, Acquisition and Systems Management, U.S. Army Futures Command/Director, Combat Systems Directorate (DCG-ASM/DIRCSD), 2020–2022. Deputy Commanding General, Acquisition and Systems/Chief Information Officer, U.S. Army Futures Command/Director (DCG-A&S/CIO), 2022–2023. | 3 | 1989 (Citadel) | 31 | |
| 6 | Michael L. Howard | 21 Jul 2020 | Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command (DCDRUSEUCOM), 2020–2022. | 2 | 1986 (ROTC) | 34 | |
| 7 | Jody J. Daniels | 28 Jul 2020 | Chief, U.S. Army Reserve/Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command (CAR/CG USARC), 2020–2024. | 4 | 1983 (ROTC) | 37 | (c. 1962– ) First woman to lead the U.S. Army Reserve. |
| * | Gary M. Brito | 2 Aug 2020 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, Army Staff (DCS G-1), 2020–2022. | 2 | 1987 (ROTC) | 33 | (1964– ) Promoted to general, 8 Sep 2022. |
| 8 | Jon A. Jensen | 3 Aug 2020 | Director, Army National Guard (DIRARNG), 2020–2024. Vice Chief, National Guard Bureau (VCNGB), 2024. | 4 | 1989 (OCS) | 31 | (1963– ) |
| 9 | Roger L. Cloutier Jr. | 4 Aug 2020 | Commander, Allied Land Command (CDRLANDCOM), 2020–2022. | 2 | 1988 (ROTC) | 32 | (1965– ) |
| 10 | John B. Morrison Jr. | 4 Aug 2020 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Command, Control, Communications, Cyber Operations and Networks, Army Staff (DCS G-6), 2020–2024. | 4 | 1986 (ROTC) | 34 | |
| 11 | John S. Kolasheski | 4 Aug 2020 | Commanding General, V Corps, 2020–2024. | 4 | 1989 (ROTC) | 31 | |
| 12 | Paul T. Calvert | 9 Sep 2020 | Commander, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CDRCJTF-OIR), 2020–2021. Deputy Commanding General/Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Forces Command (DCG/COFS FORSCOM), 2021–2022. Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (DCG FORSCOM), 2022–2024. | 4 | 1987 (NGC) | 33 | |
| 13 | Scott A. Spellmon | 10 Sep 2020 | U.S. Army Chief of Engineers/Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CoE/CG USACE), 2020–2024. | 4 | 1986 (USMA) | 34 | (1963– ) |
| 14 | Laura A. Potter | 14 Sep 2020 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Army Staff (DCS G-2), 2020–2024. Director, Army Staff (DAS), 2024–present. | 5 | 1989 (ROTC) | 31 | (c. 1971– ) |
| * | James J. Mingus | 1 Oct 2020 | Director, Operations, Joint Staff, J3, 2020–2022. Director, Joint Staff (DJS), 2022–2024. | 4 | 1985 (ROTC) | 35 | (1964– ) Promoted to general, 3 Jan 2024. |
| 15 | Willard M. Burleson III | 2 Oct 2020 | Commanding General, Eighth U.S. Army/Chief of Staff, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command (CG EUSA/COFS CFC), 2020–2024. | 4 | 1988 (USMA) | 32 | (1965– ) |
| 16 | D. Scott McKean | 2 Nov 2020 | Deputy Commanding General, Futures and Concepts, U.S. Army Futures Command/Director, Futures and Concepts Center (DCG-FC/DIRFCC), 2020–2024. | 4 | 1990 (USMA) | 30 | (1968– ) |
| 17 | A. C. Roper Jr. | 4 May 2021 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command/Vice Commander, U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command (DCDRUSNORTHCOM/VCDRNORAD), 2021–2024. | 3 | 1983 (ROTC) | 38 | (1963– ) First African-American in the U.S. Army Reserve to achieve the rank of lieutenant general. |
| 18 | Maria R. Gervais | 28 May 2021 | Deputy Commanding General/Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (DCG/COFS TRADOC), 2021–2024. | 3 | 1987 (ROTC) | 34 | |
| 19 | Erik C. Peterson | 2 Jun 2021 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Programs, Army Staff (DCS G-8), 2021–2024. | 3 | 1986 (ROTC) | 35 | |
| 20 | Antonio A. Aguto Jr. | 8 Jul 2021 | Commanding General, First Army, 2021–2022. Commander, Security Assistance Group – Ukraine (CDRSAG-U), 2022–2024. | 3 | 1988 (USMA) | 33 | (1966– ) |
| 21 | Stuart W. Risch | 12 Jul 2021 | Judge Advocate General, U.S. Army (TJAG), 2021–2024. | 3 | 1984 (ROTC) | 37 | |
| 22 | Paul A. Chamberlain | 2 Aug 2021 | Military Deputy for Budget to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller) (MILDEP ASA(FM&C)), 2021–present. | 4 | 1988 (ROTC) | 33 | |
| * | Ronald P. Clark | 4 Aug 2021 | Commanding General, U.S. Army Central/Commanding General, Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CG USARCENT/CG CFLCC), 2021–2022. Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (SMA SecDef), 2022–2024. | 3 | 1988 (USMA) | 33 | (1966– ) Promoted to general, 8 Nov 2024. |
| 23 | Jonathan P. Braga | 13 Aug 2021 | Commanding General, U.S. Army Special Operations Command (CG USASOC), 2021–present. | 4 | 1991 (USMA) | 30 | (1969– ) |
| 24 | Donna W. Martin | 2 Sep 2021 | Inspector General, U.S. Army (IG), 2021–2025. | 4 | 1988 (ROTC) | 33 | (c. 1966– ) Provost Marshal General, U.S. Army, 2020–2021. First woman to be Inspector General of the United States Army. |
| 25 | John R. Evans Jr. | 9 Sep 2021 | Commanding General, U.S. Army North (CG ARNORTH), 2021–2024. | 3 | 1988 (ROTC) | 33 | (1966– ) |
| * | Xavier T. Brunson | 1 Oct 2021 | Commanding General, I Corps, 2021–2024. | 3 | 1990 (ROTC) | 31 | (c. 1965– ) Promoted to general, 20 Dec 2024. |
| 26 | Antonio M. Fletcher | 15 Oct 2021 | Commander, NATO Special Operations Headquarters (CDRNSHQ), 2021–2023. Commander, Allied Special Operations Forces Command (CDRSOFCOM), 2023–2024. | 3 | 1989 (USMA) | 32 | |
| 27 | Michael R. Fenzel | 2 Nov 2021 | U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (USSC), 2021–present. | 4 | 1989 (ROTC) | 32 | (1967– ) |
| * | Christopher T. Donahue | 11 Mar 2022 | Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps, 2022–2024. | 2 | 1992 (USMA) | 30 | (1969– ) Promoted to general, 10 Dec 2024. |
| * | Charles R. Hamilton | 6 Apr 2022 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Army Staff (DCS G-4), 2022–2023. | 1 | 1988 (OCS) | 34 | (1967– ) Promoted to general, 16 Mar 2023. |
| 28 | Maria B. Barrett | 3 May 2022 | Commanding General, U.S. Army Cyber Command/Commander, Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber (Army) (CG ARCYBER/CDRJFHQ-C), 2022–present. | 3 | 1988 (ROTC) | 34 | |
| 29 | Douglas A. Sims II | 10 Jun 2022 | Director, Operations, Joint Staff, J3, 2022–2024. Director, Joint Staff (DJS), 2024–present. | 3 | 1991 (USMA) | 31 | (1968– ) |
| 30 | Steven W. Gilland | 27 Jun 2022 | Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 2022–present. | 3 | 1990 (USMA) | 32 | (1968– ) |
| 31 | John P. Sullivan | 30 Jun 2022 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (DCDRUSTRANSCOM), 2022–2024. | 2 | 1987 (ROTC) | 35 | |
| 32 | Omar J. Jones IV | 5 Jul 2022 | Commanding General, U.S. Army Installation Management Command (CG IMCOM), 2022–present. | 3 | 1992 (USMA) | 30 | |
| 33 | Patrick D. Frank | 7 Jul 2022 | Commanding General, U.S. Army Central/Commanding General, Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CG USARCENT/CG CFLCC), 2022–present. | 3 | 1989 (ROTC) | 33 | (1967– ) |
| 34 | James B. Jarrard | 28 Jul 2022 | Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific (DCG USARPAC), 2022–2024. | 2 | 1988 (NGC) | 34 | (1966– ) |
| 35 | Andrew M. Rohling | 2 Aug 2022 | Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Africa (DCG USAREUR-AF), 2022–2024. Deputy Chair, NATO Military Committee (DCMC), 2024–present. | 3 | 1989 (ROTC) | 33 | |
| 36 | Douglas F. Stitt | 5 Aug 2022 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, Army Staff (DCS G-1), 2022–2024. | 2 | 1990 (Norwich) | 32 | |
| 37 | Robert A. Rasch Jr. | 2 Sep 2022 | Director, Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (DIRRCCTO), 2022–present. | 3 | 1989 (ROTC) | 33 | |
| 38 | Kevin Vereen | 21 Sep 2022 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Installations, Army Staff (DCS G-9), 2022–2024. | 2 | 1988 (ROTC) | 34 | (c. 1970– ) Provost Marshal General, U.S. Army, 2019–2020. |
| 39 | Patrick E. Matlock | 3 Oct 2022 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Plans and Training, Army Staff (DCS G-3/5/7), 2022–2024. | 2 | 1988 (USMA) | 34 | (1965– ) Son-in-law of Army four-star general Tommy Franks. |
| 40 | Milford H. Beagle Jr. | 4 Oct 2022 | Commanding General, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center/Commandant, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College/Executive Vice Chancellor, Army University/Deputy Commanding General, Combined Arms, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (CG USACAC/CMDT CGSC/EVC ArmyU/DCG-CA TRADOC), 2022–present. | 3 | 1990 (ROTC) | 32 | |
| 41 | Richard R. Coffman | 4 Oct 2022 | Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Futures Command (DCG AFC), 2022–2024. | 2 | 1989 (ROTC) | 33 | |
| 42 | Sean C. Bernabe | 4 Oct 2022 | Commanding General, III Armored Corps, 2022–2024. Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Africa (DCG USAREUR-AF), 2024–present. | 3 | 1992 (USMA) | 30 | (1970– ) |
| 43 | Christopher O. Mohan | 30 Nov 2022 | Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (DCG AMC), 2022–present. Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 2024–present. | 3 | 1989 (ROTC) | 33 | |
| 44 | Telita Crosland | 3 Jan 2023 | Director, Defense Health Agency (DIRDHA), 2023–2025. | 2 | 1993 (USMA) | 30 | |
| 45 | Thomas L. James | 5 Dec 2023 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM), 2023–present. | 2 | 1990 (ROTC) | 33 | (c. 1968– ) Served seven years in the enlisted ranks before receiving his commission in 1990. |
| 46 | Heidi J. Hoyle | 5 Dec 2023 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Army Staff (DCS G-4), 2023–present. | 2 | 1994 (USMA) | 29 | |
| 47 | David T. Isaacson | 15 Dec 2023 | Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computers/Cyber and Chief Information Officer, Joint Staff, J6, 2023–present. | 2 | 1988 (ROTC) | 35 | |
| 48 | Anthony R. Hale | 3 Jan 2024 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Army Staff (DCS G-2), 2024–present. | 1 | 1990 (ROTC) | 33 | |
| 49 | Robert M. Collins | 3 Jan 2024 | Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology/Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Corps (PMD(ASA(ALT))/DIRAAC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1992 (ROTC) | 32 | |
| 50 | Michele H. Bredenkamp | 4 Jan 2024 | Director's Advisor for Military Affairs, Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ADV-ODNI), 2024–present. | 1 | 1990 (ROTC) | 34 | |
| 51 | David M. Hodne | 9 Jan 2024 | Deputy Commanding General, Futures and Concepts, U.S. Army Futures Command/Director, Futures and Concepts Center (DCG-FC/DIRFCC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (USMA) | 33 | (1969– ) |
| 52 | Sean A. Gainey | 9 Jan 2024 | Commanding General, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/U.S. Army Forces Strategic Command/Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense (CG USASMDC/ARSTRAT/CDRJFCC IMD), 2024–present. | 1 | 1990 (ROTC) | 34 | |
| 53 | William J. Hartman | 16 Jan 2024 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Cyber Command (DCDRUSCYBERCOM), 2024–present. | 1 | 1989 (ROTC) | 35 | |
| 54 | Mary K. Izaguirre | 25 Jan 2024 | Surgeon General, U.S. Army/Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command (TSG/CG MEDCOM), 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (direct) | 33 | |
| 55 | Mark T. Simerly | 2 Feb 2024 | Director, Defense Logistics Agency (DIRDLA), 2024–present. | 1 | 1984 (ROTC) | 30 | |
| 56 | Karl H. Gingrich | 2 Feb 2024 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Programs, Army Staff (DCS G-8), 2024–present. | 1 | 1990 (ROTC) | 34 | |
| 57 | Stephen G. Smith | 2 Apr 2024 | Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (DCG FORSCOM), 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (Citadel) | 33 | |
| 58 | John W. Brennan Jr. | 3 Apr 2024 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Africa Command (DCDRUSAFRICOM), 2024–present. | 1 | 1990 (ROTC) | 34 | |
| 59 | Christopher C. LaNeve | 5 Apr 2024 | Commanding General, Eighth U.S. Army/Chief of Staff, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command (CG EUSA/COFS CFC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1990 (ROTC) | 34 | |
| 60 | Charles D. Costanza | 8 Apr 2024 | Commanding General, V Corps, 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (USMA) | 33 | (1969– ) |
| 61 | Joseph P. McGee | 2 May 2024 | Director, Strategy, Plans and Policy, Joint Staff, J5/Senior Member, U.S. Delegation to the U.N. Military Staff Committee (Sr. Member MSC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1990 (USMA) | 34 | (c. 1967– ) |
| 62 | Thomas M. Carden Jr. | 4 May 2024 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command/Vice Commander, U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command (DCDRUSNORTHCOM/VCDRNORAD), 2024–present. | 1 | 1989 (OCS) | 35 | |
| 63 | Jered P. Helwig | 10 Jul 2024 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (DCDRUSTRANSCOM), 2024–present. | 1 | 1994 (ROTC) | 30 | |
| 64 | Joseph B. Berger III | 10 Jul 2024 | Judge Advocate General, U.S. Army (TJAG), 2024–2025. | 1 | 1992 (USMA) | 32 | (c. 1970– ) Relieved, 2025. |
| 65 | Robert D. Harter | 1 Aug 2024 | Chief, U.S. Army Reserve/Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command (CAR/CG USARC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1988 (Virginia Tech) | 36 | (c. 1970– ) |
| 66 | David J. Francis | 1 Aug 2024 | Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command/Commanding General, U.S. Army Army Center for Initial Military Training (DCG TRADOC/CG USACIMT), 2024–present. | 1 | 1989 (ROTC) | 35 | (c. 1967– ) |
| 67 | Brian S. Eifler | 2 Aug 2024 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, Army Staff (DCS G-1), 2024–present. | 1 | 1990 (ROTC) | 34 | (1968– ) |
| 68 | Jonathan M. Stubbs | 3 Aug 2024 | Director, Army National Guard (DIRARNG), 2024–present. Chief, National Guard Bureau (CNGB), 2024. Vice Chief, National Guard Bureau (VCNGB), 2024. | 1 | 1995 (OCS) | 29 | (1972– ) |
| 69 | Curtis A. Buzzard | 5 Aug 2024 | Commander, Security Assistance Group – Ukraine (CDRSAG-U), 2024. Commander, Security Assistance Group – Ukraine/Commander, NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (CDRSAG-U/CDRNSATU), 2024–present. | 1 | 1992 (USMA) | 32 | |
| 70 | Mark H. Landes | 5 Aug 2024 | Commanding General, First Army, 2024–present. | 1 | 1990 (USMA) | 34 | (1968– ) |
| 71 | Kevin D. Admiral | 7 Aug 2024 | Commanding General, III Armored Corps, 2024–present. | 1 | 1994 (ROTC) | 30 | |
| 72 | David Wilson | 3 Sep 2024 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Installations, Army Staff (DCS G-9), 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (Citadel) | 33 | |
| 73 | William H. Graham Jr. | 13 Sep 2024 | U.S. Army Chief of Engineers/Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CoE/CG USACE), 2024–present. | 1 | 1989 (ROTC) | 35 | (c. 1967– ) |
| 74 | Joshua M. Rudd | 25 Sep 2024 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (DCDRUSINDOPACOM), 2024–present. | 1 | 1993 (ROTC) | 31 | (c. 1971– ) |
| 75 | Joel B. Vowell | 2 Oct 2024 | Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific (DCG USARPAC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (ROTC) | 33 | |
| 76 | Paul T. Stanton | 4 Oct 2024 | Director, Defense Information Systems Agency/Commander, Joint Force Headquarters – Department of Defense Information Network (DIRDISA/CDRJFHQ-DoDIN), 2024–present. | 1 | 1995 (USMA) | 29 | (c. 1973– ) |
| 77 | Richard E. Angle | 4 Oct 2024 | Commander, Allied Special Operations Forces Command/Commander, Special Operations Command Europe (CDRSOFCOM/CDRSOCEUR), 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (USMA) | 33 | |
| 78 | Matthew W. McFarlane | 25 Oct 2024 | Commanding General, I Corps, 2024–present. | 1 | 1992 (ROTC) | 32 | |
| 79 | Edmond M. Brown | 2 Nov 2024 | Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Futures Command (DCG AFC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1994 (Citadel) | 30 | |
| 80 | Joseph A. Ryan | 4 Nov 2024 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Plans and Training, Army Staff (DCS G-3/5/7), 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (USMA) | 33 | (c. 1970– ) |
| 81 | Allan M. Pepin | 3 Dec 2024 | Commanding General, U.S. Army North (CG ARNORTH), 2024–present. | 1 | 1988 (ROTC) | 36 | (c. 1966– ) |
| 82 | Gregory K. Anderson | 6 Dec 2024 | Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps, 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (USMA) | 33 | |
| 83 | Johnny K. Davis | 20 Dec 2024 | Commanding General, U.S. Army Recruiting Command (CG USAREC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1989 (NMMI) | 35 | |
| 84 | Jeth B. Rey | 3 Jan 2025 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Command, Control, Communications, Cyber Operations and Networks, Army Staff (DCS G-6), 2025–present. | 0 | 1996 (OCS) | 29 | Served 13 years in the enlisted ranks before receiving his commission in 1996. |

## Background
### Modern use of the rank

Aside from the conventional role of lieutenant generals as corps or field army commanders, said billets also include senior staff positions under the authority of the four-star chief and vice chief of staff (such as the director of the Army staff), high-level specialty positions like the judge advocate general, chief of engineers, surgeon general and chief of Army Reserve, deputy commanders of four-star Army commands and the commanders of the Army service component commands. The superintendent of the United States Military Academy has also been a lieutenant general without interruption since 1981, as has been the director of the Army National Guard since 2001.
About 30 to 50 joint service three-star billets exist at any given time that can be occupied by an Army lieutenant general, among the most prestigious being the director of the Joint Staff (DJS), principal staff advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and historically considered a stepping stone to four-star rank. All deputy commanders of the unified combatant commands are of three-star rank, as are directors of Defense Agencies not headed by a civilian such as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIRDIA). Internationally-based three-star positions include the United States military representative to the NATO Military Committee (USMILREP) and the security coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian National Authority. All nominees for three-star rank must be confirmed via majority by the Senate before the appointee can take office and thus assume the rank.

#### Statutory limits, elevations and reductions

The U.S. Code states that no more than 46 officers in the U.S. Army may hold the rank of lieutenant general on the active duty list, aside from those on joint duty assignments. Three-star positions can be elevated to four-star grade or reduced to two-star grade when necessary, either to highlight their increasing importance to the defense apparatus (or lack thereof) or to achieve parity with equivalent commands in other services or regions. Few three-star positions are set by statute, leading to their increased volatility as they do not require congressional approval to be downgraded.

#### Senate confirmations

Military nominations are considered by the Senate Armed Services Committee. While it is rare for three-star or four-star nominations to face even token opposition in the Senate, nominations that do face opposition due to controversy surrounding the nominee in question are typically withdrawn. Nominations that are not withdrawn are allowed to expire without action at the end of the legislative session.
* For example, the nomination of Ryan F. Gonsalves for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as commanding general of U.S. Army Europe was withdrawn in November 2017 after an investigation was launched into the general's inappropriate comment to a female Congressional staffer. As a result, Gonsalves was administratively reprimanded and retired in May 2018.
Additionally, events that take place after Senate confirmation may still delay or even prevent the nominee from assuming office.
* For example, John G. Rossi, who had been confirmed for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in April 2016 committed suicide two days before his scheduled promotion and assumption of command. As a result, the then incumbent commander of USASMDC, David L. Mann, remained in command beyond customary term limits until another nominee, James H. Dickinson was confirmed by the Senate.